Select Local Merchants

Boston Tavern offers a laid-back atmosphere and tasty American classics.
Don't expect to find any low-fat fare on Boston Tavern's menu — you'll need to be prepared to indulge a bit.
Catch the game at Boston Tavern, a local restaurant with TVs.
Families will feel right at home at Boston Tavern with its kid-friendly menu and atmosphere.
Wifi here is on the house.
Boston Tavern is a suitable restaurant for both large and small groups.
If crowds aren't your thing, it's best to visit Boston Tavern during the slower weekday hours.
Dress is typically casual at Boston Tavern, so leave the fancy duds behind for the evening.
Boston Tavern prides itself in its delicious catering.
For those in a hurry, the restaurant lets you take your meal or snack to go.
Drivers will embrace the parking lot located next door to Boston Tavern.
Store your bike safely at one of the main bike racks near Boston Tavern.
Boston Tavern offers a nice selection of mid-range cuisine, so you can expect a meal there to cost about $30 or less per person.
All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

What time is it? Time to grab one of American's favorite dishes at Mocking Bird.
Comfort food at its best,
low-fat
is intentionally left off the menu here.
Great food plus TV equals the perfect fan meal.
Patrons pack the restaurant on weekends, so it's a good idea to make a reservation to ensure prompt seating.
If you're strapped for time, take out food from Mocking Bird.
Drivers can take advantage of the parking lot near Mocking Bird and save time on hunting for a parking spot.
You'll typically spend about $30 per person to dine at Mocking Bird, so plan your budget accordingly.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served at the restaurant, but the dinner menu is the real standout.

Film buffs across six states stare wide-eyed at large cinema screens, losing themselves in first-run Hollywood movies and the smell of fresh, buttery kernels within Your Neighborhood Theatre's 17 locations. Though all theaters prioritize comfortable seating, old-fashioned friendly service, and high-stakes preshow trivia slideshows, each location encompasses its own distinct charm, be it through arthouse décor, 3-D screens, or Rhode Island's vintage 1950's drive-in setting.

Ease your appetite with delicious bites from Venus Cafe in Whitman.
Calories take a backseat at Venus Cafe, where low-fat anything is barred from the menu.
Complete your meal with the perfect glass of wine or beer from Venus Cafe's drink list.
Got kids? No problem at Venus Cafe! The restaurant is a fantastic spot for families to dine together.
Venus Cafe is a good restaurant to dine with a small or large group.
Guests may have a hard time conversing, as the restaurant is rather noisy.
Prepare to face the crowds at Venus Cafe during the week — weekends tend to be slower.
No need to dress up for a trip to Venus Cafe — the casual restaurant encourages laid-back attire.
Dining out isn't your only option here — pickup is available, too.
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With prices generally staying under $15, you can easily afford to treat a pal or a date at Venus Cafe.

Though Westgate Lanes has been open for more than half a century, you'd never know it from just looking at the Brockton institution, which benefited from a pre-Millennium face-lift in 1999. Today, all 62 lanes feature automatic scoring, new furniture, and modern lighting, which casts a celestial aura during prize-packed cosmic bowling on Saturday nights. Open 365 days a year, the facility swings open its doors to challenge sphere-flinging friends, leagues, and parties with frames of tenpin or candlepin, a variation of bowling that uses smaller balls and requires more concentration than teaching a mechanical bull long division. High-definition TVs orbit the center's 13 billiards tables, and, between competitive rounds, players can refuel fatigued fingers at Harry's Pub and Grill.

Plimoth Plantation is a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated museum dedicated to interactive historic explorations of New England's early European settlers and native inhabitants. The museum boasts a recreation of a 1627 English village, with actors posing as all sorts of Abners and Abigails to convey the experience of the Pilgrims. Feel free to question these in-character characters about the realities of 17th-century life, such as business dealings, hearth cooking, and the difficulties of cell-phone reception in the wilderness. Visitors may also visit the Wampanoag Homesite where traditionally garbed staff members, most of whom are from the Wampanoag native nation, are happy to share knowledge of their history, their culture, and the land they have inhabited for hundreds of generations. An exhibit at the Visitor Center, entitled Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning, can help shed light and gravy on the realities of interactions between colonists and Native Americans.

Groupon Guide

In high school, my best friend and I would trek into the city from our Boston suburb many weekends. Our frequent destination: Harvard Square’s Club Passim. As an eighteen year old, there weren’t many options for enjoying city nightlife. Club Passim was a very welcome exception. Still to this day, I savor evenings listening to live folk music in the intimate Palmer Street setting.
In addition to being a great night out, it’s pretty incredible to think about the history of the Boston music scene. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez sang at Club Passim back in the day. Wally’s Cafe has been around since 1947, and is still a reliable venue for live music 365 days of the year.
Personally, I adore the smaller, more intimate venues that allow you to feel like you’re at a private performance. In addition to paid concerts, you’ll find many free options thanks to the area universities, such as Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. There are plenty of performances and student showcases for $5, and many are even free. As a music lover, it is great to experience up-and-coming talent.
If you are in the mood for jazz, I’d recommend Scullers Jazz Club, Wally’s Cafe, or The Beehive. Each venue has a unique personality - from The Beehive’s bohemian flair to Wally’s intimate scene. If you’re looking to groove to bluegrass, I would recommend Cantab Lounge or Toad, both in Cambridge.
When it comes to more mainstream music, I still prefer the smaller venues, such as Paradise Rock Club, The Sinclair, and Royale.
Let’s not forget about the seasonal venues, too, such as western Massachusetts’s Tanglewood, and more locally, the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. Regardless of season or musical taste, there’s an abundance of live music to enjoy here in Boston.

Home to some of the country’s most prestigious universities, Cambridge has always been known as a hotbed of intellectual and cultural sophistication. However, if you look beyond the MIT buildings that surround Cambridge Center, you’ll find some quaint side streets filled with character, unpretentious fun, and delicious restaurants from some of the city’s top chefs. Here’s your guide to a relaxed date night around Kendall Square.
Thrift Like a Pro at The Garment District (200 Broadway)
If you’re feeling bold, sift through the “by the pound” area—you’ll be able to tell a lot about your date depending on what they pick out. You can either stay downstairs and search for next year’s Halloween costumes or head upstairs to my personal favorite area: all the way in the back, where you’ll find racks of amazing '70s and '80s couture.
Share a Pie at Emma’s Pizza (40 Hampshire St.)
After your adventure at The Garment District, step around the corner for a romantic table for two at Emma’s Pizza. The only hard part will be settling on toppings for your custom pie: choose from gourmet options such as thyme-roasted mushrooms and roasted sweet potatoes, or keep it simple with some sweet italian sausage. I love grabbing a cold beer and sitting down at the mismatched chairs—sometimes the most romantic spots are the most understated.
Shots and Shuffleboard at State Park (1 Kendall Square)
Come for a game of shuffleboard and stay for the bourbon and barbecue. This recently opened Kendall Square “dive bar” is the little sister to Cambridge’s beloved Hungry Mother, which features more upscale southern dining. The ambiance at State Park is moody and dark—perfect for drinking enjoying an after-dinner cocktail (or two).
Cozy Up for a Flick at Kendall Square Cinema (1 Kendall Square)
Going to the movies is one of my favorite pastimes. It can feel so indulgent if you do it right. Don’t come for the latest blockbuster hit—Kendall Square Cinema is known for showcasing smaller indie flicks. The theater is small and intimate, perfect for cozying up with a bag of freshly popped popcorn (topped with real butter!).
Be sure to check Groupon first for more shopping, date-night restaurants, and things to do in Boston.
Photos by Natalie Chassaigne Kurtzman